The National tribune., 1887-10-13
CHAPTER II.

Lou, what do you think?" cried Tony,
who came bounding into the room, throwing
his schoo!bOOks in the corner and going over 10
whore his sister was sitting.
Why, I'm sure don't know; what is the
matter2"
George King and Charley johnson have
gone in the 18th regiment as drummer-boys.
NOu ought TO have seen them in their new
clothes; they looked awfully fne-gold lace
all down the sides Of their pants and gilt cord
on the jackets. And such drums! Capt. Clark
told me once when he was here Just what the
drummers had TO do. Say, Lou, want 10 be a
drummer-boy."
Why, Tony, you are dreaming"
No ] amt; all the boys are going.n
:" Your aunt would never listen TO such a
proposition; besides, Tony. since papa and
mamma died you and ! are left all alone; SO
you would not leave your sister now, would
your"
IL aunty says can, can IYp
" Well, aunty will not listen TO it; SO you
need not ask her"
This conversation occurred two weeks after
Capt Clark's departure
Letter, Miss Lou, said the servant, bring
ing mp the mail
" Ii Is from Fredi" she exclaimed.
Lon, read il out loud"
. will-some parts Of il, perhaps
Oh, you need not be afraid / won't tell.D
Lou broke the seal, and the color mounted
TO her checks as she read page after pare Poor
Tony's patience became exhausted. and he in
tcTrnpted her by cXclaiming Lou, what does
he sayI"
We'll, viii read you some of il. He saws.
j am called In the morning by the reyeille.
which is beat at SUNRISE"
Yes, that is what the drummers have TO do.
Go on"
Then there is tattoo at 9 o'clock, and
taps"
YES, taps; that is when you have TO blow
out the candle. lie told me about IT, is that
AL he saysf Amt he been in any battle YETI"
= NO, Tony" and she heaped a sigh of relief
Good afternoon, Lou" and middle-aPed
lady entered the room.
"Aunty i have just received letter from
Fred"
"Indeed! How is hep"
/" tie Is well, thank you, and has been In nc
engagements as yet, but does not know how
soon they will receive marching ORDERS"
Yes, aunty, he tells about the drummert
| beating taps"
"Taps2" replied his aunt.
Yes that is when they have TO blow their
| lights out. Say, aunty, j want 10 De drum.
mer-boy in the new regiment that is being raised
under the command Of Col Thomas. You
know him, and ! know could CO."
Why, Tony, you are out Of your mind.
hou are ohly * years Ola entirely too young
That's just the age OF George King and
Charley Johnson" Tony replied.
But you would not leave Lou and me, would
your"
From that moment Tony made up has mind
The next day after school he visited Col
! Thomas aud made such an impression upou
that gentleman that be promised to see his
aunt The same evening Col. Thomas called
ON Mrs Elemming, Tony's aunt aud told he,
and Louise that II the boy had the fever on
him and was bound 60 enlist with the tenn.
perament lac possessed. he might, on their re.
insal, run away and join some regiment oi
! which they knew nothing; aud AS the Colonel
bad taken a liking 10 Tony, he promised x
look after him. After long consultation II
was decided if Tony still persisted in enlistinp
as drummer-boy, not 10 discourage him, but
allow him 10 join Col. Thomss's regiment
As usual, next day Tony was late comins
home from school. AS be had been up 10 th,
barracks where the soldiers were CHARTERED
| When he came in his face was all aglow,
Lou, i have seen Col. Thomas, and he told
me that be had been 10 see you aud aunty, anG
IL you would consent could join his regiment
Ii is going away next week. Now, what d.
you say2"
l "oh! Tony, my dear brother, you dom,